Die dümmsten Menschen der Welt

Kapitel 10

Tan Huan smiled too. She reached out and touched Pei Jin's cheek, wiping away his sweat with the corner of her clothes. "You look beautiful when you sweat." Knowing that he was alright, she had the leisure to pay attention to other things.

Pei Jin couldn't catch his breath; a faint blush tinged his pale face, whether from anger or embarrassment, it was hard to tell. He realized he seemed to blush easily when in front of Tan Huan, wondering if that was a good thing. At least, it meant Tan Huan had some influence over him.

What happened to you just now?

“It must be the poison taking effect.” Pei Jin pondered for a moment and came to this conclusion. “The Thousand Mountains and Dense Rain Needle is not that simple. I need to go back and talk to my father as soon as possible.” He didn’t know what kind of poison it was. If he was too late, he might only be a corpse left.

Tan Huan looked at him quietly and said, "This hidden weapon was made by the Tang Clan, right? Wouldn't it be better to go directly to the Tang Clan?"

“The Tang Clan is in Shu Mountain, no longer in the Central Plains. Their relationship with the martial arts world in the Central Plains is not good, so going to them is useless unless we forcibly take the antidote. Even if we forcibly take it, they may not give us the real one,” Pei Jin analyzed. “Father knows more about the Tang Clan, so I think the most urgent thing is to go back and find him.”

Tan Huan remained unmoved and said, word by word, "We can also go find Du Suizhi."

“…That makes sense.” Pei Jin smiled. “If Father is also unaware, then I really need to go and find Du Suizhi.”

"I'll go with you," Tan Huan said hastily.

Pei Jin smiled slightly, "Okay." Calculating the time, the Lingfeng Sword Tournament had already begun. She wondered if going back now would be enough to catch the final matches. "Tan Huan, did you register for the Lingfeng Sword Tournament?"

Tan Huan shook his head, "Only Wu Qingfeng from the Wu family participated."

Pei Jin was taken aback. He had met Wu Qingfeng before, and Tan Huan's martial arts skills were clearly superior to Wu Qingfeng's, so why wasn't he participating? This was a matter for the Wu family, and he shouldn't interfere, so he didn't ask further. "Then would you like to go and have a match?"

Tan Huan thought for a moment, then looked up and asked, "Is there anyone more capable than you?"

Pei Jin smiled without answering, her gaze clear and bright, the emotions in her eyes far beyond what the word "confidence" could describe.

Tan Huan smiled and asked, "You think you're number one?"

Pei Jin said, "There are so many masters in the world, how can I claim to be the number one?"

Tan Huan's smile deepened. "I'm referring to the Lingfeng Sword Tournament, among the teenagers under sixteen."

Pei Jin seized on the loophole in her words and said gently, "I am already seventeen, past the age for the Lingfeng Sword Competition."

Tan Huan was immediately deflated, squatted on the ground in frustration for a long time, and then asked, "So where do you think I rank with my abilities?"

Pei Jin touched her forehead, "You'll know once you try it."

This man never gives a direct answer. Tan Huan placed her small hand over his large one, groping him in a very impure way, like a rogue taking advantage of a beautiful woman. She blinked at Pei Jin, noticing his sweaty appearance, and suddenly smiled, "Pei Jin, you're all sticky, aren't you?"

Pei Jin didn't overthink it at all; her instinct was to nod and admit, "Yes, I feel very uncomfortable."

Taking advantage of his weakness, Tan Huan grabbed his arm and said, "How about I help you take a bath?"

Pei Jin was taken aback, then blushed and awkwardly turned her head away, "No need."

"It's okay." Tan Huan shamelessly drooled, staring at his flushed cheeks. So handsome, so handsome! If she married him, she could see this handsome face every day. She wiped her mouth, thankfully no drool had dripped. "I'm not shy, why are you shy?"

Pei Jin sighed, "I'm not shy." He was just embarrassed.

Tan Huan laughed heartily, raising the Lonely Dust Sword in her hand. "Look, we even have a token of our love, and it's not like we're taking a bath together. I'm just helping you wash up." Tan Huan thought to himself, knowing his personality, if he let her help him bathe, he would definitely marry her in the future. A bath like this to seal their fate—it's such a good deal.

Pei Jin's expression stiffened, and he stared at her sternly, "Tan Huan, you're only twelve years old. Where did you learn such talk about taking a bath together?"

Silence. Tan Huan lowered her eyes, then stole a glance at him, "I heard it from Du Suizhi..."

Pei Jin was furious. That bastard actually said such things to a twelve-year-old girl! Slightly indignant, he put his hand on her shoulder and said gently, "Tan Huan, girls shouldn't say such frivolous things to men, or they'll be misunderstood."

What misunderstanding? It's okay if you misunderstand. Tan Huan feigned a pitiful expression, her fingers clutching the hem of her clothes. "I poisoned you and made you fall off a cliff... The poison in your body is so severe, you don't even know when you'll die... So, I want to do something for you." She looked up at him. "Even doing something small is fine, just to make me feel better."

If there were a hole in the ground for him to hide in, Pei Jin would definitely crawl into it. Seeing Tan Huan's expression, he panicked and stammered, "No..." Seeing that her tears were about to fall, he sighed and looked up at the sky helplessly, "Fine, whatever." After a pause, he added without backing down, "But, just wipe your upper body."

Tan Huan nodded happily. She pulled Pei Jin to the stream, took off his shirt, her hands trembling slightly. Her heart was overflowing, as if all the stars in the sky had been plucked and placed before her eyes. Pei Jin was a dream too distant, too beautiful for her; she desperately wanted to grasp him, desperately wanted to possess him. She knew she was still too young, without any real strength. Besides trying her best, Tan Huan couldn't think of anything else she could do.

Pei Jin's body stiffened as she clumsily removed his tattered outer garment, letting her soak scraps of cloth in the stream water, inch by inch, the coolness spreading across his back.

He wondered if he really did like her a little.

"Greedy Pleasure, you want to know where you rank in the Spirit Peak Sword Tournament, but you're not participating?"

Tan Huan paused slightly and spoke frankly, "The Wu family only needs Wu Qingfeng to participate, and only needs him to win a prize." She was superfluous.

"...Do you want to get first place?"

He was silent in his pleasure, but his lowered eyes shone brightly.

Although her back was turned, Pei Jin could guess her expression and smiled slightly, "Tan Huan, don't underestimate your own strength."

Tan Huan thought for a moment, then shook his head and said, "Forget it, I haven't even signed up yet, and it's too late to go now anyway."

Pei Jin smiled and said, "Although you can't officially participate, you can challenge the person who won first place in public after the first place is determined. As long as the other party still has pride, they certainly won't refuse. You can also become famous in one battle."

The soaked cloth in Tan Huan's hand fell into the stream and drifted away. Her face was expressionless, her gaze somewhat lost and agitated. "I...I..."

Pei Jin turned around and slowly stood up. "We'll go to Lingfeng now. Father is also there to preside over the martial arts competition. I also need Father's help with the poison in my body. You still have time to think it over."

Pei Jin extended a hand to her.

The stream flows gurglingly... Pink petals drift on it, light and ethereal, fluttering and swirling.

Tan Huan reached out and grasped his hand. Her gaze lingered on their clasped hands. She looked up and smiled, "Pei Jin, what should I call Alliance Leader Pei?"

Pei Jin's smiling face showed a momentary awkwardness, and her eyes unconsciously avoided hers. "Just call him Alliance Leader Pei."

With a sweet smile, Tan Huan raised the Lonely Dust Sword, "Then what will he call me when he sees this sword?"

Pei Jin raised an eyebrow but remained silent. After a long silence, she spoke up, seemingly out of nowhere, "Let's leave here."

She covered her mouth and chuckled secretly, indulging in pleasure.

Chapter Six: The Sword Tournament at Lingfeng

The setting sun bathed the earth in a crimson glow, turning everything in sight.

A young man in black, exuding a murderous aura, thrust a curved blade straight at his opponent. His face was expressionless, his gaze cold and hard. After his opponent fell to the ground, the young man stepped forward and stomped on his wound, causing blood to flow freely. He coldly said, "Admit defeat now."

The entire room fell silent. Even Pei Gumo frowned slightly.

The young man in black mercilessly raised his curved blade, stabbing another hole in his opponent. A scream of pain echoed through the arena. Pei Gu Mo called out, "Stop!"

The young man in black raised his eyes and said calmly, "He hasn't admitted defeat yet..."

The opponent had already fainted from the pain.

Pei Gumo sighed deeply and announced, "The victor is Ba Ying of Youming Valley."

The boy in black strode away from the arena, his movements as swift as the wind.

Tan Huan and Pei Jin had just arrived at Lingfeng when this scene unfolded before them. Tan Huan turned his head to observe intently, secretly assessing the chances of victory between himself and the black-clad youth.

Pei Jin narrowed his eyes and said softly, "I haven't seen Ba Ying for two years. This guy has become more ruthless, and his martial arts skills have improved even more."

Tan Huan nodded, deeply agreeing with this statement. Although she didn't know this Ba Ying guy, he was quite skilled in martial arts and very "efficient" in his attacks.

"However, such behavior is inappropriate; he will only make more and more enemies."

Tan Huan was puzzled, his eyes filled with doubt. "What's wrong with it?" Since his opponent wouldn't admit defeat, he naturally had to use all his means. He had only slashed the opponent twice, without taking his life. This Ba Ying was quite kind.

Pei Jin stared at her. "So, if it were you, would you hurt your opponent?"

Tan Huan thought for a moment. Since Pei Jin had asked her that, she naturally wouldn't tell the truth. So she said tactfully, "If you hold back during a duel, that would be the greatest insult to your opponent." A high-sounding excuse.

Pei Jin agreed, "That's right, that's indeed the case. However, when your opponent is clearly weaker than you, such a bloody approach will only provoke resistance from others."

"What if I don't care about what others think and believe?" Tan Huan asked innocently.

Pei Jin smiled and ruffled her hair. "Who in this world can truly be indifferent to others? Even Father, even me, no one is exempt from the common customs."

Tan Huan remained noncommittal. "The biggest mistake Ba Ying made was hurting someone in full view of everyone. You're right, that only gives the enemy an excuse to attack you." She lowered her head, deep in thought, unaware of Pei Jin's dark expression. "If you're going to do something, do it like Du Suizhi, when no one is watching."

Pei Jin was speechless, about to say something, when suddenly another sharp pain shot through his body. He abruptly collapsed onto Tan Huan, gasping for breath. Tan Huan felt a sudden weight on his shoulder, and instantly took two steps back, wrapping his arms around Pei Jin's waist, asking worriedly, "The poison has flared up again?"

Pei Jin nodded in pain, "Mmm..."

Actually, Pei Jin had been noticed by some people when he first arrived. Just as Du Suizhi said, with his appearance, it was impossible for him to remain inconspicuous. However, seeing Pei Jin's reluctance to make a fuss, no one came over to greet him. Now that Pei Jin was behaving strangely, even Pei Gumo was alarmed.

The competition was over for the day. Seeing his beloved son in such a state, Pei Gumo immediately rushed to his side and supported him. "Jin'er, what's wrong?"

Pei Jin was sweating profusely and speechless.

Tan Huan exclaimed urgently, "He's been hit by the Thousand Mountains Dense Rain Needle!"

Pei Gumo nodded solemnly and said, "Thank you. I'll take Jin'er to heal her injuries first." The Grand Alliance Leader Pei was a peerless martial artist. As soon as he finished speaking, he and Pei Jin's figures were hundreds of feet away.

Tan Huan was empty-handed. She paused for a moment, her expression slightly dejected, and stood there.

This was the first time I'd seen Pei Jin appear with a girl at the same time, and they seemed quite intimate. Many people around were staring at Tan Huan, but she seemed oblivious, not even raising an eyebrow.

"Hmph, got lost after all, huh? Only arrived now." Wu Qingfeng's voice was mocking. He didn't know why, but seeing this kid made his mood plummet, and the joy of winning the match earlier vanished. "You've learned your lesson, haven't you?"

He could tell it was that bastard just by the voice, but Tan Huan was too lazy to pay him any attention and turned to walk away.

"Greedy!" Wu Qingqiu ran over from not far away, excitedly. "Let me tell you, if my brother wins tomorrow's match, he can make it into the top four."

Tan Huan turned back and smiled at Wu Qingqiu, then glanced sideways at Wu Qingfeng, "Oh? Congratulations, the Wu family is now enjoying great glory because of you." His words were insincere, and a slight sarcasm lingered at the corner of his mouth.

Wu Qingfeng gritted his teeth, "A weasel offering New Year's greetings to a chicken—it's up to no good."

Tan Huan shrugged and said, "Then I won't say anything more."

Wu Qingqiu's eyes lit up as he looked at the longsword in her hand. "Tanhuan, where did you get this sword?"

He was momentarily stunned by the pleasure.

Wu Qingfeng was also taken aback, greatly taken aback. The Lonely Dust Sword? He looked up at Tan Huan, his gaze becoming complicated. "What happened? What happened between you and Pei Jin?"

Tan Huan's voice was soft yet firm, "It's none of your business."

Wu Qingfeng said unhappily, "As everyone knows, Pei Jin's Lonely Dust Sword is meant to be given to his future..." He frowned, pausing awkwardly, "Hmph, what is your relationship with him?"

Tan Huan retorted sarcastically, "Since it's already common knowledge, why are you asking me?"

Wu Qingfeng was speechless, staring at her but unable to utter a word.

Wu Qingqiu grabbed Tan Huan's arm and rubbed her head against her neck. "That Pei Jin is so handsome, a hundred times more handsome than my brother. Tan Huan, you have such good taste!"

Tan Huan finally felt a little embarrassed and looked away, "Uh...it's okay..."

Wu Qingfeng's lips curled into a strange smile. "What, are you going to be shy?"

Tan Huan ignored him completely, remaining silent for a while before thinking of other questions. As if their previous confrontation had never happened, she slowly looked at Wu Qingfeng and asked, "Is Du Suizhi your cousin?"

Wu Qingfeng smiled enigmatically. "He's your cousin too, right? Don't tell me you don't have the surname Wu?"